Is there no end to the bad news this year? Mortgage crisis. Sky-high fuel prices. Financial institutions dropping like flies. A steadily warming planet. And of course, rapidly declining auto sales. The last time things were this bad, disco was in, aesthetics and design were taking a huge leap backwards, and we were all driving ugly, emasculated, smog-controlled cars that were a sad echo of the fast and passionately styled cars of just a few short years past. Yes people, I’m talking about the 1970s, an era that Jalopnik.com, one of our favorite fellow automotive blogs, refers to as the Malaise Era.

Continue reading "Exhaust Note #30: It’s the 1970s All Over Again! Or Is It?"

Posted by Ed Kim at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Another week, another Road Noise brainstorming session with my friend who doesn't even own a car.

"I was thinking of doing something about how much my nephew loves his little toy cars," I IM'd my Cars-Are-a-Blight-On-the-Landscape collaborator.

His reply follows, verbatim:

Oh man, I LOVED toy cars as a kid, especially the micro-machine ones you could open and put other EVEN TINIER cars into! And those ones that came with a little credit card shaped bit of plastic that you could unfold and make a little landscape for your car to drive around on!

Toy cars it is, then.

You go, girl!

Continue reading "Road Noise: Small Car Review...er, But Not What You're Thinking"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 9:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Wanna see the most ‘80s short film EVER? Depending on your affection or distaste for the decade of white suits, popped collars, saxophone solos, keyboard riffs, high waistlines, and Aquanet, you might find the following the best…or worst…six minutes of your life.

This little movie could be solely responsible for the creating the image of Saab drivers in the ‘80s as pompous, self-absorbed jerks (who might be overcompensating to make up for certain insecurities). But hey, it was the ‘80s, and we could afford to dream big. Who wouldn’t want to simply snap their fingers to not only make their dreams come true, but also get rid of people you don't like (to quote the movie), or make it big with hot blonde Swedish models?

Continue reading "2008 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible: Snap Your Fingers and Your Dreams Come True"

Posted by Ed Kim at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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From the first rumblings of the 1-Series coupe destined for the States, I waited impatiently. Saw it at the auto shows, and wanted it to look great on the road. VehicleVoice brought you the first photos last June and an update in October and again in March. Finally, we drive it.

But I can't fall in love with the real 1-Series look, like I did the latest Z4 coupe and Porsche's Cayman. Still, a small BMW coupe, from a company that consistently delivers great driving dynamics, usable and plentiful power, and stern BMW interior in a size that seemed tailored just for me! How could I not be anxious? And do I care if it's a little clumsy outside?

The reality finally hit our press pool a few weeks ago. And just how did the little coupe satisfy? I fell in love. Behind the wheel, that is.

Continue reading "2008 BMW 135i: Near-Perfect, Marred by Questionable Looks"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Chrysler today announced plans to jumping into the electric car market with both feet by offering up three high-voltage prototypes to reporters and a promise to put about 100 electric vehicles on the road in 2009. We've been waiting to get a sense of what the company's ENVI group is up to, and now we know.

One of the three concept vehicles, the all-electric Dodge EV, is sure to generate some buzz (Is it a Tesla for the common people?) for its fierce looks and eco-friendly, refuel-it-from-the-wall-socket appeal.

With that in mind, it could be easy to miss the hybrid-on-steroids potential of the Jeep and Chrysler EVs -- a Jeep Wrangler and a Chrysler Town & Country fitted with battery and range-extending engine setup (similar in concept to GM's Volt) that Chrysler claims will allow them run for 40 miles without touching a drop of gas.

Read the full report from Chrysler after the jump.

Continue reading "Chrysler enters the electric race"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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It's been nearly a week since the Italian Grand Prix run at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, in Monza, Italy – and already, I miss Phil Hill. As the first American to win the Formula One Driver’s Championship in 1961, Hill, who died of complications from Parkinson’s Disease August 28, 2008, in Monterey, California, was an important influence on the world of automobiles, racing, and International relations.

Even as recently as this year, Hill was a constant, loyal attendee at races all over the world and as such, was an influence on the culture of things automotive and served as an American ambassador of good will. When I think about the risk that drivers faced in F-1 and other forms of racing in the 1950s and '60s, it’s amazing Hill even lived to tell the tale.

Continue reading "Remembering Phil Hill"

Posted by dbarrett at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Last week, General Motors wrapped up its centennial celebration. If one thinks about GM’s prominence on the world landscape, it’s easy to see just how significant of an event this is. Even if you’ve never owned a GM vehicle yourself, think about the company’s impact on the American and global economies and its products’ impact on popular culture. Can you imagine an America where Chevrolet didn’t exist? What if there had never been songs about GTO’s or Cadillacs? How about a world where the word Camaro was simply French slang for “friend” or a Corvette was just a small gunboat used to escort convoys?

Continue reading "Exhaust Notes #29: GM Celebrates 100 Years And…Hey, Where’s the Party?"

Posted by Ed Kim at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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There are a bunch of ways to kill a man at the Ford Allen Park Test Labs. Exposure in the cold room, dehydration in the hot room, altitude sickness in the pressure room, boredom in the strange little parking lot simulator shed. And that's just the stuff I can come up with off the top of my head.

Oh, and you could run someone down with the new F-150, I guess, if your imagination was lacking for some reason.

F-150 stalks its prey from the cover of the tall grass

Continue reading "Road Noise: Fuel Economy: The Most Dangerous Game"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 9:32 AM | Permalink

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It's rare when two same class heavyweights are introduced concurrently. Both the 2009 Nissan Maxima and 2009 Acura TL were launched this summer and both are very nice entry luxury entries. The cars are very similar, but the positioning of each is very different.

The Maxima, a derivative of the front wheel drive Nissan Altima and assembled at Nissan's huge car/truck plant in Smyrna, Tennessee is the range topper for Nissan cars in the USA. The Acura TL is front wheel drive with optional SH-AWD - "Super Handling All Wheel Drive". The TL is the middle of the Acura car lineup and Acura's highest volume vehicle and is assembled alongside the Honda Accord in Marysville, Ohio.

You might think that a better comparison would be the Acura against Infiniti with the TL lining up against the Infiniti G37 sedan. But the G37 sedan is based on a rear wheel drive platform. The TL vs. the Maxima is a more real product-to-product comparison.

Continue reading "2009 Acura TL vs. 2009 Nissan Maxima: Who Wins?"

Posted by George Peterson at 2:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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There’s been a lot of talk over the last few days about a bailout for the Big Three. The Big Three have been struggling due to a lot of factors (fuel prices that favor smaller vehicles, the economy, labor and legacy costs, etc.) and some even posit that bankruptcy could be the only way out!

One of the issues at the center of the discussion is whether the Big Three deserve a bailout at all. Well, let us – your fearless VehicleVoice editors – attempt to put some clarity to this situation!

Continue reading "Exhaust Notes #28: Bailing Out the Big Three? It's Not a Bailout!"

Posted by Ed Kim at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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This very insightful opinion piece appeared in September 10, 2008 issue of the Wall Street Journal. Written by Holman W. Jenkins, Jr. the article confirms the position of AutoPacific and VehicleVoice that CAFE is unnecessary and costs the industry and the taxpayer far more than it achieves.

How to Save Detroit... And $50 Billion
by Holman W. Jenkins, Jr.
September 10, 2008

For a sum small compared to their revenues but large in relation to their market caps, the Detroit auto makers were all over the two conventions. Their lobbyists had something to sell -- a plea for $50 billion in federal loans. Congress practically owes us this money, Ford, GM and Chrysler argue -- because Congress slammed us with new fuel mileage mandates that will cost us $100 billion to meet.

Continue reading "Save Detroit - Scrap CAFE"

Posted by George Peterson at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Another day, another mess of press releases clogging the inbox here at Vehicle Voice World Internet Headquarters and Half-Price Seafood Buffet.

Let's see...Corporate community outreach: I’ll pass. Buy 14 tires, get the 15th free: To the Recycle Bin! Exciting new car air freshener: This isn’t news.

Oooh, here’s one: “GM launches new site to clarify misconceptions about the company.” Sounds like fun; let’s roll.

This is gonna be like Mythbusters, but without the explosions or the entertainment.

Continue reading "Road Noise: Because We Said So, That's Why!"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 6:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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For the 2008 model year, the Grand Cherokee had a minor exterior and interior refresh, and expanded the trim levels the 215HP 3.0L V6 diesel could be ordered in; we recently had the chance to spend some time with one. The 3.0L V6 is built by Mercedes-Benz, but not equipped with the latest Bluetec emissions-reducing technology. The engine has only 42-state availability this year, and gets cut from the 2009MY due to stricter emissions. If you want one, place your order now.

Jeep will build 2008MY Grand Cherokee diesel models through the end of 2008, though with the expanded feature availability of the 2009MY products. Step up now and you can get a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel with iPod interface when the navigation system is ordered and a nine-inch rear DVD screen instead of eight-inch. Overland and Limited models get a revised standard leather appearance package, covering most oft-touched hard plastic with leather.

Diesel enthusiasts are convinced it is the way of the future, or at least the way for significantly more of the driving population than now. Largely the provenance of European manufacturers and pickup trucks, more were offered for 2008 than in recent years. Yet the powertrain option is still rare enough that it isn't often that we get the chance to drive one.

Continue reading "First Drive: 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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A few short years ago, one of the big automotive buzzwords was the term “segment busters”. This was in the day where the unibody car-based SUV was a radical new concept and manufacturers started realizing that the latest generation of consumers wanted products – both automotive and non-automotive – to speak specifically to their own unique needs. Rather than adapt habits and lifestyles to suit the vehicle, consumers increasingly expected the exact opposite.

The first generation Explorer Sport Trac was introduced for the 2001 model year and was very much a segment buster in its day. It combined SUV and pickup sensibilities in a fun package. Instead of offering a crew cab variant of the Ranger compact pickup (on which the first couple of generations of Explorer were based on), Ford decided that they could make more money by putting an Explorer-based cab and a short bed on an extended-cab Ranger frame and making it a part of the more profitable Explorer family. Thus was born the Explorer Sport Trac.

Continue reading "2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: If Its Niche is Your Niche, You’ll Love It"

Posted by Ed Kim at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Is the Flex a Cool, Tricked Out Hipster?
Ford has an all-new crossover SUV/minivan/people hauler for the 2009MY, the Flex we've brought you several reports on. The Flex has been filtering into dealerships, and this week was the full and ferocious advertising start.

Flex TV ads hit hard with the start of the 2008-09 NFL season (click here for one), but unconventional outreaches include iPhone apps that allow a 360-degree view of the interior; Xbox, Dish Network, and Yahoo technology offering photos and videos on-demand; skits on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson featuring Flex; and description videos on Flex's home page. On one hand, we'd like to give Ford kudos for enabling Team Detroit to create such an all-encompassing, innovative approach. On the other hand, this is a two-box people hauler and not a sexy icon of technology. Are they trying too hard?

Continue reading "Exhaust Note #27: Ford Flexes Creative for New Model"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Two hours out of every day – one in the morning, and one in the evening – I drive the highways of this great country. It’s a fascinating world out there, full of interesting sights, breathtaking landscapes and novel personalities, all available to take in if you know where to look.

It gets boring after about 20 minutes.

For hours and hours and hours.

Continue reading "Road Noise: The Road Goes Ever On and On. And On and On and On."

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 6:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ah, Labor Day weekend. Forget your family barbecues, your trips to the lake, your hazy last days of summer – I’ll take a $5 hot dog, the Detroit River and the smell of ethanol exhaust (Better than the old methanol fumes!) any day.

Continue reading "Sunday at the Races"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 6:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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We have now driven all three General Motors Lambda Crossover SUVs on the market and the all-new Ford Flex Crossover SUV. While we have had a week apiece in the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, we'll use the Enclave as the comparison vehicle because it is most recent.

Continue reading "2009 Ford Flex vs. 2008 Buick Enclave - On the Road Comparison"

Posted by George Peterson at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Hey, it's Labor Day. You're not going to spend it inside reading our ramblings on the state of the automotive industry, are you? Go have yourself a lovely day!

Posted by Ed Kim at 4:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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